We’re remember Wanet (Tut) Wilkins, mom, grandma, and great-grandma, who went to live with her Lord one year ago, May 26, 2010: A myriad of ordinary things bring you to our minds each day. Kristen spied a picture-frame that said, “I love you to the moon and back.” She almost cried because you’d often spoken those delightful words to her. Although we miss you, each memory is sweet, not sad, provoking love, thankfulness and sometimes laughter. We love you, Gram! Your encouraging words still encourage us, and your liveliness and love have left a deep and wonderful impression on our lives.

Pa, many times I’ve needed you. In life I loved you dearly, In death I love you still. For in my heart you hold a special place, That no one else can fill. Love your little sweetheart Katie.

If all the world was ours to give, we would give all and more to hear your footsteps and see your smilig face come through the door. We have cried an ocean of tears for you. In our hearts you hold a special place no one will ever fill.
Your family and friends speak of you. They talk of you with happiness and special memories.
It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone. For part of us went with you the day God called you home. If love could have saved you, you never would have died. Each thing you’ve touched along the way has a hollowed spot inside.
Pa, you went first. And I remain. I ask you to do one thing. Walk slowly down that long, long path, for someday I will follow you. I want ot know each step you took so I may take the same. And some day down that lonely road, you’ll hear me call your name.

People change, seasons go but the memory of a loved one grows and grows. 6 years ago we said our goodbyes not knowing what was in store for us and how much this would change our lives. I’m 16 now and I miss you like no other because you were my grandpa and my second father, I was so young when you passed away, but the impact you had plays a role in my life day to day. Sometimes I wonder what you would think of me, but I know you’re watching over me, watching me succeed, looking down smiling and giving me the courage to move through, sending me signs that say I love you! Every night I look in the sky to find the star you shine through forever and always I love you!

As an adult, Baker carefully monitored what she ate, putting herself on a low-salt diet with lots of water. But one day at home, she became light-headed. Her heart raced, her chest pounded. She called 911 and was rushed to an emergency room.

The problem: hyponatremia, a more-common-than-you-might-think condition in which the blood level of salt (sodium) in your body becomes abnormally low.

“That’s when I realized my body does need salt,” says Baker. “They gave me a saline solution drip with sodium in it. It perked me right up. I felt terrific.”

Baker isn’t the only person surprised to learn that salt is an essential nutrient. In many ways, it’s this simple: without it, you die; with it you can thrive. Still, controversy remains about the best level of sodium in our bodies. Baker’s experience illustrates an important message when it comes to low-sodium diets: Don’t assume a low sodium diet is beneficial to everyone in general and to you in particular. Also, don’t adopt a low-sodium diet until you’ve discussed its potential risks and benefits with your doctor.
A May 2011 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) confirmed that cutting back on salt can indeed be hazardous to your health. More specifically, the study found that even modest reductions in salt intake are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and death.
The study debunks claims made by anti-salt advocates that a population-wide reduction in sodium consumption would benefit public health. In their conclusion, the study’s authors were clear, if not blunt, that trying to get everyone to cut back on salt is a bad idea: “Taken together, our current findings refute the estimates of computer models of lives saved and health care costs reduced with lower salt intake. They do also not support the current recommendations of a generalized and indiscriminate reduction of salt intake at the population level.”

This is hardly the first medical study at odds with the conventional wisdom of the anti-salt movement. Other studies show:

Low-salt diet leads to higher mortality: An examination of the largest U.S. federal database of nutrition and health (NHANES), published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, found a higher rate of cardiac events and death with patients put on low-salt diets—a result perfectly consistent with the latest study.
Risk of diabetes: A 2010 Harvard study linked low-salt diets to an increase in insulin resistance, the condition that is a precursor to Type 2 Diabetes. Recent studies out of Australia show that individuals with type I or type II diabetes die in much greater numbers when placed on a salt restricted diet.
Falls, cognitive problems among elderly: Because of declining renal function in the aging body, the kidneys retain less sodium. Recent studies have shown that elderly people with hyponatremia have more falls and broken hips and a decrease in cognitive abilities.

Low birth weights, poor brain development: A 2007 study found that babies with low birth weight are also born with low sodium in their blood serum because their mothers were on low-salt intakes. Another study found that infants with low sodium may be predisposed to poor neurodevelopmental function a decade later between the ages of 10 and 13.

No one has to convince Baker about the dangers of a sodium-restricted diet. Working with her doctor, Baker has changed how she eats, choosing products with sodium throughout the day and, yes, using table salt, just as her mother used to.

“It depends what your particular health situation is and what your doctor advises,” says Baker. “But I know from personal experience that your body does need a certain amount of salt, and it can be harmful to you if you don’t consume enough of it.”

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(NAPS)—When it comes to men’s faces, things can get pretty hairy. Despite the growing popularity—about 60 million guys currently sport facial hair—there are plenty of unanswered questions for guys in terms of styles and trimming tips.

“Facial hair is more acceptable now than it’s been in a long time, and when it comes to styles, anything goes,” said Ben Phillips, master barber for Wahl. “But just because anything goes doesn’t mean guys should let it grow out of control. Lots of men are looking for help in finding a style that best enhances their look—and with a few simple tips they can sport a look that suits them best.”

According to Phillips, the key to a well-groomed look is understanding what shape best suits your face and finding the right tool to deliver the desired style.

For example, when considering an electric trimmer, he says, be sure to get one that has the power, precision, design and run-time to easily maintain your facial hair style.
He also offers these five tips to help you keep your facial hair looking good:

1. Before you trim, comb hair straight using a narrow-tooth comb.
2. For most facial hair styles, start by outlining and shaping the hair.
3. Use a slightly shorter length underneath the jawline, as hair tends to grow thicker there than on the cheeks and chin.
4. For lining up the hairline, start in the center and work toward each ear.
5. Remember, it’s about personal style. Experiment with different facial hair styles and shapes to see what best suits your face.

If you’ve mastered these trimming tips and proudly sport facial hair, you could be named a Wahl Man of the Year in the sixth annual search for the best facial hair in America. Contest winners receive a lithium ion prize package including an iPad 2, Garmin GPS system and Flip video camcorder. To enter, simply submit a photo of yourself at www.wahlnation.com by Oct. 9, 2011. More tips and information are also on the website.

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The Cedar Springs Boys Varsity track team captured the 2011 OK Blue Conference championship last Thursday and Friday nights by winning 10 of the 17 events and outpacing the field with 162 points. Entering the season, expectations were sky high for this team, and to date they have have lived up to them and then some. Read more in our sports section.

Tragedy struck in Solon Township Tuesday evening, when a 5-year-old girl was killed as the result of a lawn mower accident.

The call came into dispatch about 7 p.m. reporting that a 5-year-old had been run over by a lawn mower on Marsh Creek Dr. NE, south off 22 Mile, between Simmons and Middle Lake Avenue. Solon Township fire and rescue, the Kent County Sheriff Department and Rockford ambulance responded to the call. AeroMed was put on standby.

The child, 5-year-old Jenna Ricord, suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. It has been ruled an accident.

According to police, the father was mowing the lawn when the accident occurred and did not see the child. Captain Kevin Kelley, of the Kent County Sheriff’s Department, said in a recent interview they think the girl may have fallen and her dad did not see her. The family is still reportedly very distraught, and police are still filling in the details.

Jenna is survived by her parents Jesse and Jean Ricord; brother, Aaron and another sibling on the way. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday 11:00 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 15164 Juniper, Marne, MI 49435.

The accident was also hard on those responding to the call. The dispatchers, first responders, deputies and others on scene will be invited to attend a debriefing session on the incident later this week, where they will have the opportunity to talk about what they witnessed with trained counselors.

The City of Cedar Springs will soon be looking for a new fire chief. That’s because Chief Jerry Gross Sr., fire chief for the last 11 years, has decided to step down from his management role at the end of this month. He made the announcement at last week’s City Council meeting.

“My intent is to stay with the department and still run fires and medical calls,” explained Gross, who turns 64 in September.

Gross has served on the Cedar Springs Fire Department for 32 years—half of his life. He started out serving on the Sand Lake Fire department when he was just 16, and left when he was 19.

Fighting fires is in his blood. When he was growing up, his father fought fires for the Sand Lake Fire Department, and his mother would often bring him and his older brother to watch his dad if the fire was close by. Jerry became a member of the junior firefighters and washed trucks and helped out around the station. When he later married his wife Barb, they decided to live in Cedar Springs and he became a firefighter here.

Gross said he has enjoyed the majority of the work he’s done. “We do things with the intent to help, and sometimes we feel our efforts come up short,” he said, in regard to medical emergencies and some fires.

“But I could not have done what I did without every member of the department,” said Gross, emphasizing that they are all a team, and that the department is not about one person.

Gross said that it was his understanding that he would work with Deputy Chief Marty Frasier until the city chooses a new chief.

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